Method and apparatus capable of enabling a network interface device to be provisioned remotely

Abstract

Various aspects of apparatuses and methods for enabling a network interface device (NID) at a customer premises to be remotely provisioned are disclosed herein. In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosures herein, method for enabling a NID at a subscriber premise to be remotely provisioned includes an operation for transmitting a control command to a command processor of the remotely provisionable NID from a central office communication apparatus. After performing the operation for transmitting the control command to a command processor of the remotely provisionable NID, the command processor performs an operation for receiving the control command. An operation is performed for determining a requested control state associated with the control command. The operation for determining the control function is at least partially facilitated by the command processor. In response to determining the requested control state, an operation is performed for transmitting a control state signal to from the command processor to the line controller. The control state signal corresponds to the requested control state. After the line controller performs an operation for receiving the control state signal, the line controller performs an operation 22 for altering the remotely provisionable NID from a present control state to the requested control state. The operation for altering the control state of the remotely provisionable NID is at least partially facilitated by a line control device of the remotely provisionable NID.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method capable of enabling a network interface device to be provisioned remotely, comprising: 
 receiving a control command, wherein the control command is received by a network interface device located at a subscriber premises;    determining a requested control state associated with the control command, wherein the control function is determined at the network interface device; and    in response to determining the requested control state, altering the network interface device from a present control state to the requested control state.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the control command is transmitted to the network interface device on a paired-conductor transmission line using a designated frequency of a downstream multiplexed signal.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein control command initiates enabling transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the control command initiates disabling transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the control command initiates terminating a first conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line with a second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the control command initiates terminating at least one conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line with at least one conductor of a second paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the control command initiates connecting a test load between a first conductor and a second conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a first subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a telecommunication device;  
 a second subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a data processing system; and  
 the control command initiates inverting a connected orientation of the first and the second paired-conductor transmission lines with respect to the telecommunication device and the data processing system.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining the control function associated with the control command includes correlating a control command with one of a plurality of available control functions.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 downloading control functions associated with the control states from an upstream communication apparatus to the network interface device prior to the control command being received by the network interface device.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a state enabler is electrically connected between a signal splitter of the network interface device and a data processing system connected to the network interface device; and  
 altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes transmitting a control state signal from a command processor of the state enabler to a line controller of the state enabler in response to receiving the control command at the command processor of the state enabler.  
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the command processor of the state enabler is electrically connected between the signal splitter and the line controller of the state enabler;  
 the line controller of the state enabler is electrically connected between the signal splitter and the data processing system connected to the network interface device; and  
 the command processor of the state enabler is capable of receiving the control command, determining the control function associated with the control command and transmitting the control state signal to the line controller of the state enabler.  
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein: 
 the signal splitter is capable of separating a telephonic signal and a digital subscriber line signal of a downstream multiplexed signal; and  
 the control command is transmitted on a designated frequency of the downstream multiplexed signal.  
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the designated frequency is an unused frequency of the downstream multiplexed signal.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes altering the network interface device from a transmission-disabled state to a transmission-enabled state.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission-disabled state to the transmission-enabled state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates transmission of DSL signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device being enabled.  
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device is enabled when the network interface device is in the transmission-enabled state.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the network interface device comprises a device capable of selectively enabling and disabling continuity of at least one conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes altering the network interface device from a transmission-enabled state to a transmission-disabled state.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission-enabled state to the transmission-disabled state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates transmission of DSL signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device being disabled.  
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device is disabled when the network interface device is in the transmission-disabled state.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the network interface device comprises a device capable of selectively enabling and disabling continuity of at least one conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes altering the network interface device from a transmission line non-terminated state to a transmission line terminated state; and  
 a first conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line is terminated to a second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the transmission line terminated state.  
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission line non-terminated state to the transmission line terminated state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates the first conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line being terminated to the second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes altering the network interface device from a transmission line conductor non-terminated state to transmission line conductor terminated state; and  
 at least one conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line is terminated to at least one conductor of a second paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the transmission line conductor terminated state.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission line conductor non-terminated state to the transmission line conductor terminated state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates said at least one conductor of the first paired-conductor transmission line being terminated to said at least one conductor of the second paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes altering the network interface device from a premises equipment impedance load state to a test load state; and  
 a test load is terminated between a first conductor and a second conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the test load state.  
 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the premises equipment impedance load state to the test load state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates the test load being terminated between the first conductor and the second conductor of the first paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the network interface device comprises the test load.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1  wherein: 
 a first subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a telecommunication device when the network interface device is in the first control state;  
 a second subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a data processing system when the network interface device is in the first control state; and  
 altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state the control command initiates inverting a connected orientation of the first and the second paired-conductor transmission lines with respect to the telecommunication device and the data processing system.  
 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the network interface device comprises a device capable of selectively inverting a connected orientation of the first and the second paired-conductor transmission lines with respect to the telecommunication device and the data processing system.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus capable of enabling a network interface device to be provisioned remotely, the apparatus comprising: 
 a remotely provisionable network interface device including a state enabler and a signal splitter, wherein the state enabler is electrically connected between the signal splitter and a data processing system connected to the network interface device; and    a data processor program, wherein the data processor program is capable of enabling the state enabler to facilitate: 
 receiving a control command, wherein the control command is received by the state enabler of the network interface devices;  
 determining a requested control state associated with the control command, wherein the control function is determined at the state enabler of the network interface device; and  
 in response to determining the requested control state, altering the network interface device from a present control state to the requested control state.  
   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 a paired-conductor transmission line connected to the remotely provisionable network interface device;    wherein the control command is transmitted to the network interface device on a paired-conductor transmission line using a designated frequency of a downstream multiplexed signal.    
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein control command initiates enabling transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the control command initiates disabling transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the control command initiates terminating a first conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line with a second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the control command initiates terminating at least one conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line with at least one conductor of a second paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the control command initiates connecting a test load between a first conductor and a second conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 a first subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line connected between the network interface device and a telecommunication device; and    a second subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a data processing system;    wherein the control command initiates inverting a connected orientation of the first and the second paired-conductor transmission lines with respect to the telecommunication device and the data processing system.    
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein enabling the state enabler to facilitate determining the control function associated with the control command includes enabling the state enabler to facilitate correlating a control command with one of a plurality of available control functions.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein: 
 the state enabler includes a command processor and a line controller; and  
 enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the state enabler to facilitate transmitting a control state signal from a command processor of the state enabler to a line controller of the state enabler in response to receiving the control command at the command processor of the state enabler.  
 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein: 
 the command processor is electrically connected between the signal splitter and the line controller;  
 the line controller is electrically connected between the signal splitter and the data processing system; and  
 the command processor is capable of receiving the control command, determining the control function associated with the control command and transmitting the control state signal to the line controller of the state enabler.  
 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein: 
 the signal splitter is capable of separating a telephonic signal and a digital subscriber line signal of a downstream multiplexed signal; and  
 the control command is transmitted on a designated frequency of the downstream multiplexed signal.  
 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission-disabled state to a transmission-enabled state.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission-disabled state to the transmission-enabled state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates transmission of DSL signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device being enabled.  
 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device is enabled when the network interface device is in the transmission-enabled state.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein the network interface device comprises a device capable of selectively enabling and disabling continuity of at least one conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission-enabled state to a transmission-disabled state.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission-enabled state to the transmission-disabled state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates transmission of DSL signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device being disabled.  
 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 48  wherein transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device is disabled when the network interface device is in the transmission-disabled state.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 48  wherein the network interface device comprises a device capable of selectively enabling and disabling continuity of at least one conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein: 
 enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission line non-terminated state to a transmission line terminated state; and  
 a first conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line is terminated to a second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the transmission line terminated state.  
 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission line non-terminated state to the transmission line terminated state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates the first conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line being terminated to the second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein: 
 enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission line conductor non-terminated state to transmission line conductor terminated state; and  
 at least one conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line is terminated to at least one conductor of a second paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the transmission line conductor terminated state.  
 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission line conductor non-terminated state to the transmission line conductor terminated state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates said at least one conductor of the first paired-conductor transmission line being terminated to said at least one conductor of the second paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein: 
 enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the state enabler to facilitate altering the network interface device from a premises equipment impedance load state to a test load state; and  
 a test load is terminated between a first conductor and a second conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the test load state.  
 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 56  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the premises equipment impedance load state to the test load state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates the test load being terminated between the first conductor and the second conductor of the first paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57  wherein the network interface device comprises the test load.  
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein: 
 a first subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a telecommunication device when the network interface device is in the first control state;  
 a second subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a data processing system when the network interface device is in the first control state; and  
 altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state the control command initiates inverting a connected orientation of the first and the second paired-conductor transmission lines with respect to the telecommunication device and the data processing system.  
 
     
     
         60 . A data processor program product, comprising: 
 a data processor program processable by a data processor;    an apparatus from which the data processor program is accessible by the data processor; and    the data processor program being capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate: 
 receiving a control command, wherein the control command is received by a network interface device located at a subscriber premises;  
 determining a requested control state associated with the control command, wherein the control function is determined at the network interface device; and  
 in response to determining the requested control state, altering the network interface device from a present control state to the requested control state.  
   
     
     
         61 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein the control command is transmitted to the network interface device on a paired-conductor transmission line using a designated frequency of a downstream multiplexed signal.  
     
     
         62 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein control command initiates enabling transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device.  
     
     
         63 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein the control command initiates disabling transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device.  
     
     
         64 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein the control command initiates terminating a first conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line with a second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         65 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein the control command initiates terminating at least one conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line with at least one conductor of a second paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         66 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein the control command initiates connecting a test load between a first conductor and a second conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line.  
     
     
         67 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein: 
 a first subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a telecommunication device;  
 a second subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a data processing system; and  
 the control command initiates inverting a connected orientation of the first and the second paired-conductor transmission lines with respect to the telecommunication device and the data processing system.  
 
     
     
         68 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein enabling the data processor to facilitate determining the control function associated with the control command includes enabling the data processor to facilitate correlating a control command with one of a plurality of available control functions.  
     
     
         69 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes transmitting a control state signal from a command processor of a state enabler to a line controller of the state enabler in response to receiving the control command at the command processor of the state enabler.  
     
     
         70 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission-disabled state to a transmission-enabled state.  
     
     
         71 . The data processor program product of  claim 70  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission-disabled state to the transmission-enabled state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates transmission of DSL signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device being enabled.  
 
     
     
         72 . The data processor program product of  claim 70  wherein transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device is enabled when the network interface device is in the transmission-enabled state.  
     
     
         73 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission-enabled state to a transmission-disabled state.  
     
     
         74 . The data processor program product of  claim 73  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission-enabled state to the transmission-disabled state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates transmission of DSL signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device being disabled.  
 
     
     
         75 . The data processor program product of  claim 73  wherein transmission of data signals between an upstream communication apparatus and a data processing system connected to the network interface device is disabled when the network interface device is in the transmission-disabled state.  
     
     
         76 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein: 
 enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission line non-terminated state to a transmission line terminated state; and  
 a first conductor of a paired-conductor transmission line is terminated to a second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the transmission line terminated state.  
 
     
     
         77 . The data processor program product of  claim 76  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission line non-terminated state to the transmission line terminated state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates the first conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line being terminated to the second conductor of the paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         78 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein: 
 enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from a transmission line conductor non-terminated state to transmission line conductor terminated state; and  
 at least one conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line is terminated to at least one conductor of a second paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the transmission line conductor terminated state.  
 
     
     
         79 . The data processor program product of  claim 78  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the transmission line conductor non-terminated state to the transmission line conductor terminated state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates said at least one conductor of the first paired-conductor transmission line being terminated to said at least one conductor of the second paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         80 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein: 
 enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state includes enabling the data processor to facilitate altering the network interface device from a premises equipment impedance load state to a test load state; and  
 a test load is terminated between a first conductor and a second conductor of a first paired-conductor transmission line when the network interface device is in the test load state.  
 
     
     
         81 . The data processor program product of claim  80  wherein: 
 altering the network interface device from the premises equipment impedance load state to the test load state is performed in response to the network interface device receiving the control command; and  
 the control command initiates the test load being terminated between the first conductor and the second conductor of the first paired-conductor transmission line.  
 
     
     
         82 . The data processor program product of  claim 60  wherein: 
 a first subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a telecommunication device when the network interface device is in the first control state;  
 a second subscriber premises paired-conductor transmission line is connected between the network interface device and a data processing system when the network interface device is in the first control state; and  
 altering the network interface device from the present control state to the requested control state the control command initiates inverting a connected orientation of the first and the second paired-conductor transmission lines with respect to the telecommunication device and the data processing system.